The interrogation room gambit is not something for which Ren places fault with Akechi. He could have spared himself the pain if he’d made different choices with Akechi at any prior point. Ren could have refused to spend time with him after they met at the TV studio. He could have chosen not to forge the bond that became a blood oath.
But he wanted Akechi - as a friend, as an ally, even as a rival. Alive, free of the shackles that bound him to his fate. Throughout the entire time leading up to Shido’s palace, some small part of Ren’s heart held hope that the other boy could be swayed to join his side. All of his actions were the result of deliberate, considered choice.
Ren knew what was likely to happen to him during the interrogation, and he allowed himself to be captured and subjected to the brutality. It wasn’t Akechi’s fault the criminal justice system was set up with such stacked odds and utilized such cruel methods. Ren can’t blame the other boy for the danger he willingly launched himself into with the grappling hook at his wrist.
It’s true that the Akechi played a more active part in the attempted murder. Even so, Ren recognizes Akechi’s actions weren’t entirely free at the time. He was under the thumb of his vile father, carrying out orders for assassination as he had so many other times before. He’d been a young teenager with no system of support, no standing in the world, and Shido took advantage of that to mold a broken boy into a more than capable weapon. Akechi never stood a chance.
“Joker is just a name.”
He doesn’t really understand why Akechi is hung up on his impending transformation. None of the people here should be forced to endure this injustice. Ren isn’t any more or less worthy of the waiting horrors than anyone else.
no subject
But he wanted Akechi - as a friend, as an ally, even as a rival. Alive, free of the shackles that bound him to his fate. Throughout the entire time leading up to Shido’s palace, some small part of Ren’s heart held hope that the other boy could be swayed to join his side. All of his actions were the result of deliberate, considered choice.
Ren knew what was likely to happen to him during the interrogation, and he allowed himself to be captured and subjected to the brutality. It wasn’t Akechi’s fault the criminal justice system was set up with such stacked odds and utilized such cruel methods. Ren can’t blame the other boy for the danger he willingly launched himself into with the grappling hook at his wrist.
It’s true that the Akechi played a more active part in the attempted murder. Even so, Ren recognizes Akechi’s actions weren’t entirely free at the time. He was under the thumb of his vile father, carrying out orders for assassination as he had so many other times before. He’d been a young teenager with no system of support, no standing in the world, and Shido took advantage of that to mold a broken boy into a more than capable weapon. Akechi never stood a chance.
“Joker is just a name.”
He doesn’t really understand why Akechi is hung up on his impending transformation. None of the people here should be forced to endure this injustice. Ren isn’t any more or less worthy of the waiting horrors than anyone else.